22. Forger

Zoro wasn't aware of the aftereffects of his fight back in Maple city.

Right now he was seriously listening to what Elder Shi was lecturing him about Crafting.

" Crafting contains four essential points, Purifying, Combining, Condensing and Shaping.

Purifying is the step in which the material used for Crafting is removed of any impurities.

A craft isn't made of a single material, that would affect its overall stats. So complimentary materials are added during the process, thus this stage is called combining.

Once all the materials are added, they need to be condensed. This stage effectively bonds all the materials together.

As for the last stage, this stage is very much important like the other three. A precise control is needed to make the desired shape any craft, be it a weapon, accessory or other."

Zoro got many points but was still confused about the details. Elder Shi wasn't disappointed, this was likely to happen since Zoro had never touched crafting before.

He patiently explained many points.

Without them noticing night arrived. Elder Shi managed to find a cave before and settled most of his Crafting materials inside.

" Watch carefully Zoro, I can show you these steps as much as you want so don't be bothered and ask any question you want."

Zoro nodded. His observation Haki was tuned in as Elder Shi started forging.

Elder Shi first took out an ore black in colour with several lines of grey lines visible over it.

A fire was lit on his palm, the ore tumbled inside the fire. Smoke rose constantly as the black colour within the ore was burned and removed.

Five minutes later....

An orb of glowing red liquid was floating on air. Elder Shi took out there more orbs and did the same process.

" This is purification. After the impurities are removed, pure elements in liquid form is what remains. Now for combining, watch."

The three orbs joined together, slowly.

An orb mixed with three different colour now floated in mid air. The colours kept intertwining and changed constantly.

Several minutes later a greyish red ball of liquid floated in mid air. The ball of liquid was atleast a meter in diameter.

" That's combining. I have used three elements and combined them accordingly. For the weapon I am Forging, I chose hardness and sharpness as a major factor with a special element, as for what the element is.... you will see after forging is completed. Now Condensing."

Elder Shi waved his hand, his Qi spread around the ball of liquid and started to condense it.

Its size started to reduce until it was a third of its former size.

" Condensing bonds the elements even further, thus increasing the chance of successful forging.

Last but not least, Shaping."

His Qi grew even stronger. The orb of condensed elements was now slowly taking the shape of a dagger.

Ten minutes later....

An exquisite dagger floated before Zoro. It's blade was grey in colour with red lining over its edges. The back of it's blade was pitch black with grey linings as well.

" You see that fiery red lining, that's the element I talked about. When forging every forger would add one or multiple elements to it.

This will allow it's wielder to conduct Qi more smoothly and add much more power to their attacks."

Zoro was astounded. He knew the old man could make good weapons but... he didn't know he was that great. This dagger isn't one bit inferior to blue mist, infact it's a higher grade than it.

Elder Shi enjoyed Zoro's admiration.

' How is that brat? Now do you see my magnificence? '

Zoro took the dagger and fiddled with it. It danced in his hands, Zoro was satisfied and put it inside his storage ring.

Elder Shi nearly slapped him to the ground seeing how non chalantly he took away his newly forged weapon.

" What's the number of materials that can be added during combining? "

" Eh? Huh? Ah... it depends. A group of inferior materials won't yield high quality weapon nor does huge amounts of high quality ones.

A perfect combination of materials is what determines the quality of a forged item. For example, an inferior item maybe made of ten materials where as a high quality item may only contain less and like wise."

Zoro nodded in understanding.

" I don't have fire element."

Elder Shi laughed and replied.

" Don't worry. Although I can't understand the special character of your Qi, I do understand one thing it can definitely transform into other elements."

" Huh? "

" I see, you haven't noticed. Your Qi or whatever it can change its characteristics to other elements. Of course the purity is another matter but I doubt that will matter to you."

" Then what do I need to do now? "

" Nothing."

" Huh? Nothing? "

" As of right now you have no control over fire, you can only control Qi outside your body after reaching Warrior Commander."

" Till then? "

" Till then you will learn about several materials, their characteristics, item blueprints..... these are just miscellaneous subjects and quite easy to learn."

Elder Shi had no idea what he was on for. What might sound easy to others comes hard for Zoro and what might sound impossible might be easy for him.

Until they reached Orchid City, Elder Shi tried to cramp these subjects into Zoro but like a line drawn on water it disappeared.

Zoro easily grasped details about blueprints and materials but when it came to their characters Elder Shi found his years of experience coming to naught.

Luckily they had two months before reaching Orchid City so he was able to get some information into his head.

Zoro didn't loaf off either, he was able to breakthrough and become a Warrior master. His battle strength took a large leap with his breakthrough.

Elder Shi reckoned Zoro could kill an early stage Warrior Master with ease now.

' I took in quite a monster as my disciple.'